MANCHESTER United will continue to strive for second spot in the Barclays Premiership - but more in hope than expectation according to star midfielder Paul Scholes.

After reducing the gap to a single point with their four-goal hammering of Charlton on Sunday, the Red Devils promptly saw Arsenal regain their stranglehold on the runners-up position by beating West Brom at The Hawthorns last night.

The Gunners now require just five points from their final three games to cement an automatic place in next season's Champions League and condemn United to another tricky August qualifier.

But, while forthcoming fixtures against top four contenders Liverpool and Everton do offer the possibility of an Arsenal slip-up, Scholes hinted he is not expecting one.

"They do have a couple of tough games but with Liverpool coming off the back of a big European game, you would have to imagine Arsenal would win that," Scholes told MUTV.

"We are still hoping but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves. If second comes great, if not we still have the FA Cup Final coming up and we are determined to win that."

Though their title ambitions long-since disappeared, United are facing an intense week, which could start with them dumping Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson into the Football League.

Robson brings his Baggies side north knowing nothing other than a first victory for his side at United since 1978 will be essential if Crystal Palace's own relegation showdown with Southampton two hours earlier does not end in a draw.

Seventy-two hours later, Jose Mourinho will bring his new Premiership champions to Old Trafford.

For Chelsea, the result will not matter. But for United, the clash offers a desperately needed opportunity to prove they are not a spent force.

"We have known for a long time Chelsea were going to win the championship and we expected them to win it at Bolton on Saturday," said Scholes.

"But next Tuesday we have to let them know we are still about and ready for next season."